Meet Irving Keys of Gardena

Today we’d like to introduce you to Irving Keys.

Hi Irving, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I been djing for about 10 years. I went to SFSU and that is when everything started. I was djing for NCAA II games and started getting my name out in the city by playing at bars ect… as soon as i was done with school, i got a job playing in hollywood blvd and then el patron dtla in Los Angeles.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The struggles came when i was in high school, living in section-8 on crenshaw blvd and rosecrans. Alot of voilence, drugs, and being the only brown family in the block was something we had to go through. My dad was an abusive alcoholic and eventually got sick and passed away in 2024. Some of these struggles became a challenge for me and it made me a stronger person. I started to believe in my music journey. A young brown boy from crenshaw.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am from the roots of Panama. Afro beats, dancehall, reggaeton and even being in the ghetto streets of crenshaw, hip-hop was a big influence/bay area rap. I am proud of getting a degree in audio engineering and having a big name in the scene.10-year in the game. It feels like i just started. Music is so vital for me!

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
I would owe SFSU atheletics department a big credit. Chris O’ Bannon, Gogetta KB, Buddy, Kaytranada, Marce B, Mikecool, Pricelessdaroc, D-mac, Mon, Los Rakas, CuttyMarc, ect

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @irvingkeys
• Soundcloud: Irving Keys